Cardboard Play Ideas by Age Group to Enhance Childcare

[Ages 4–5] Ball Rolling

[Easy Craft] Rolling Ball: Make and Play with Cardboard! [For Ages 4–5]

How about making a ball-rolling game using cardboard and milk cartons? To be mindful of allergies, it’s safest to choose cartons that contained tea.

First, cut the carton in half lengthwise.

Next, stick on your favorite animal designs.

If you use construction paper and size it big enough to cover the carton, it looks cute.

Then, attach the cartons to a piece of cardboard cut to about 40 cm by 30 cm.

Install two cartons, adjusting their angles and spacing so the ball rolls easily.

Add decorations to the background cardboard, and you’re done!

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tsukada moe

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Pulling play for 1-year-olds

[Handmade Toy: Pull-Play with Cardboard] A Nakano City nursery teacher shares handmade toy ideas that delight toddlers.

Let’s make a perfect pull-toy activity for a one-year-old using cardboard.

First, cut a piece of cardboard flat and reinforce the edges with duct tape or vinyl tape.

Next, use an awl to punch holes.

Thicker string is recommended because it’s easier for little hands to hold.

Thread the string through the holes and tie a tight knot at the end so it won’t come out.

After adding the strings, decorate it with pictures of animals or other images to capture the children’s interest.

You’ll have a lovely item that kids can pull on again and again.

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[Ages 4 and up] DIY Concentration (Memory Matching Game)

[Cardboard] You can make a game with cardboard that gets everyone this excited!!

With cardboard, you can make a Concentration (memory) game that even small children can play.

Draw spaces for the cards on a flat piece of cardboard, and draw two of each picture on the cards.

Choose motifs the children like to make the game even more fun.

First, make sure they understand the basic rules: if they flip two matching pictures, they keep the cards; if not, they turn them back over.

Once they’re used to the rules and the basic flow, it’s fine to increase the variety of cards.

Concentration can be played with any number of players and is compact enough for indoor play.

You’ll be treated to the heartwarming sight of kids trying their best to remember the pictures.

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[Ages 1 and up] Mini slide

Let's make it together with Mom and Dad♪ A mini slide made from cardboard

Slides are one of kids’ favorite activities, but they take up space and it’s hard to store them.

In times like that, try making a cardboard slide.

If you attach it to a sofa or a chair, you’ll have a perfectly usable slide.

It turns out more compact than you’d think, so it doesn’t take up much room.

The trick is to use the thickest cardboard you can so it can support a child’s weight.

You could also have the kids draw pictures on the sides of the slide you made—it would make a nice keepsake.

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Hirakawa Masako (Bōkarisuto: Sakata Mizumako)

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Pompom Stamps [Ages 1 and up]

Using 100-yen shop tools! Let’s make easy upcycled stamps ♪ [Cardboard craft]

Why not try making stamps using cardboard? First, make the paint-applying part out of sponge.

Use a template to cut it into your preferred size and shape.

Next, reinforce the cut sponge by attaching a piece of cardboard of the same shape to it.

Then roll a strip of cardboard that you’ve cut to a suitable size into a spiral, and attach it to the stamp as a handle—that’s it! The handle is thick and short, making the stamp easy for children to hold.

Try incorporating it as a stamp for all kinds of craft projects.

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tsukada moe

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Pretend Play with a Smartphone [Ages 2 and Up]

Role-play fun is in full swing! A smartphone made from cardboard

For children, a smartphone or computer is probably one of those things they want to have.

Let’s make a smartphone that looks real and use it for pretend play.

First, cut three pieces of cardboard to smartphone size, glue them together to add thickness, and let them dry.

Once dry, round off the corners and draw the screen frame.

To make it look like it’s in a case, you can glue wrapping paper to the back, and for the front screen, draw your favorite picture or attach a photo to give it an even more realistic finish.

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Hirakawa Masako (Bōkarisuto: Sakata Mizumako)

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[Ages 4–5] Play Post Office with a Handmade Mailbox

[Craft Play] Post Office Pretend Play with Letters! Perfect for New Year Too 🎍🐭 [Ages 3–5]

These days we don’t write or exchange letters as often, but you still see mailboxes when you walk around town.

How about making a handmade mailbox out of a cardboard box and playing post office? The mailbox can be any size—just cover the outside of the box with red paper and cut a slot for inserting letters.

Then cut a larger opening on the back for taking the letters out.

It’s an item that will make you excited to think, “What kind of letter should I write?”

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Hirakawa Masako (Bōkarisuto: Sakata Mizumako)

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